Raski Okrug, or Raska District, is one of Serbia's self-governing regions, located in the country's southwestern part. Geographically, Raska neighbors Montenegro to the southwest, while Kosovo constitutes the south. The east is chiefly composed of Rasinski Okrug, and Šumadija Okrug encompasses the northern fraction. Moreover, the closer one gets to the northwest, they will find Moravica Okrug, though Zlatibor Okrug primarily accounts for the west. Raski Okrug's landscapes are hilly and mountainous, featuring the Čemerno and Kopaonik mountains. The highest point of Raska District, Pančićev, is found at an altitude of 2,017 meters above sea level.[4] In the northern part of the region is Raska's capital city, called Kraljevo, which played a role in Serbia's political, cultural, and historical development.[1] Situated near the capital city is the Žiča Monastery, which served as the coronation church of Serbian kings.[10] Another historical monastery is Studenica, protected by UNESCO as it is the largest Serbian Orthodox monastery. Additionally, it hosts numerous cultural landmarks.[8] In terms of Raska District's natural conditions, two larger protected areas stretch across its territory. In the western part of Raska is located the Golija Nature Park, protecting local endangered plant and animal species.[11] As for the eastern part of the district, Kopaonik National Park covers much of this area, providing various hiking trails for visitors in the summer and skiing slopes for tourists in the winter.[9]
Kraljevo, the capital city of Raski Okrug, provides various attractions that tourists tend to visit. One such is the National Museum in Kraljevo, which houses a diverse collection of documents and artifacts that encompass archaeology, ethnology, history, and art. Additionally, the New Gallery, established in 1995 within the former Grammar School building, hosts various exhibitions and serves as a venue for scientific meetings, musical performances, and literary events, among several others.
Holy Trinity Church, near the National Museum, is reportedly a prominent religious site in Kraljevo. The Church of the Burned Relics of St. Sava on Dositejeva Street is dedicated to the Serbian national saint, St. Sava. These are some of the notable cultural and historical landmarks people can explore in Kraljevo. Žiča Monastery, located three kilometers southwest of the Kraljevo, is a Serbian Orthodox monastery with historical significance. This monastery, known as the Coronation church, was constructed by Serbia's first King, Stefan the First-Crowned. Žiča held a place in the tradition of Serbian kings, serving as the royal church where kings were anointed. While it is possible to walk to Žiča Monastery from the center of Kraljevo in about 45 minutes, it is recommended to consider taking a bus that passes by the monastery for a more convenient journey.[7]
Another considerable historical spot is the Studenica Monastery, the largest Serbian Orthodox monastery, founded by Stefan Nemanja in the late 12th century. This historic site holds the remains of Stefan Nemanja, his wife Anastasia, and the first Serbian king—Stephen the First-Crowned. It is also where Saint Sava Nemanjić initiated the Serbian Orthodox Church in 1219 and authored the first Serbian literary work.
Surrounded by a fortified wall with two gates, Studenica features several monuments, including the Church of the Virgin and the King's Church, housing 13th- and 14th-century Byzantine paintings.
The Church of the Virgin, representing the Raška School style, blends Romanesque and Byzantine elements in its architecture. Its exterior resembles Italian Romanesque cathedrals, while the interior showcases wall paintings reflecting post-Byzantine art trends.
The King's Church, founded in 1314 by King Milutin, presents frescoes by Salonican painters Michael and Eutychius. Today, the Studenica Monastery is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.[8]
Nature and outdoors enthusiasts can venture to the Kopaonik National Park in southern Serbia, which contains the country's largest mountain massif, attracting visitors who enjoy skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer. For tourists seeking hiking destinations, a range of trails with varying difficulty levels is available. One of the local hikes starts with Duboka, traversing Ravni Kopaonik-Pajino preslo, Duboka, Kneževe bare, and Ledenica. Another route is called Metođe—a moderately challenging hike that lasts six to seven hours. It leads through a nature reserve within Kopaonik National Park—known for its forests—and offers panoramic views from the top of Veliki Karaman.
Hajdučica, another trail, requires seven to eight hours to complete. It meanders through the center of Ravni Kopaonik, characterized by coniferous forests, rare flora, and the peat bogs of Jankova bara. Tourists seeking a more challenging and lengthy trek can consider the Semeteško Lake Trail. Moreover, Kopaonik Mountain Resort is also visited as a skiing destination in the region, offering 24 lifts, 50 kilometers of groomed alpine trails, and 12 kilometers of Nordic ski trails.[9]
Raski Okrug is an administrative unit in Serbia, named after the Raska region in which it is located. It is one of the eight districts of Šumadija and the West Serbia region. Geographically, the area of the district is approximately 3,918 square kilometers. The largest city in the district of Raska is Kraljevo, the capital city. Kraljevo is also acknowledged as the tenth-largest city in Serbia. Novi Pazar, located in the southern part of the territory, is the second largest city, with two thousand fewer inhabitants than Kraljevo. Raski Okrug's landscapes are hilly and mountainous, as the Čemerno and Kopaonik mountains are located on its territory. The valley of the West Morava River extends in the vicinity of the city of Kraljevo. The highest peaks within the area are Pančićev, at an altitude of 2,017 meters, followed by Željin and Kukavica.
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Golija Nature Park, situated in southwestern Serbia, encompasses Golija, the region's highest mountain, with its tallest peak, Jankov Kamen, reaching 1,833 meters. This expansive park spans approximately 75,183 hectares of mountainous terrain, surrounded by the Ibar Valley to the east, Raska and Ljudska Rivers to the south, Moravica to the west, and the middle part of Studenica Valley in the north and northeast. The park is protected with the intent to preserve its natural ecosystems.
Golija comprises forests, alpine meadows, and pastures on its southern slopes, making it one of Serbia's most forested mountains. This area was designated a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO due to its natural and historical significance. Hikers tend to be drawn to Golija due to its vistas.
Additionally, the park holds several cultural and historical landmarks, housing the Studenica Monastery.
The park's biodiversity features nearly a thousand plant and animal species. Some local species include Heldreich's maple, an enduring tree symbolizing Golija, and various bird and animal species. Golija's diverse landscapes reportedly support forest conservation efforts, hosting 1,100 plant species, including relics and endemics. Beech forests blanket the northern, northeast, and eastern slopes, while oak forests lie below. Above 1,600 meters, the beech-fir forest belt features various beech tree species, and beyond 1,700 meters, beech trees dominate. Moreover, the park also accommodates a range of mammal and bird species, which may appeal to nature enthusiasts and those who enjoy wildlife viewing.[5]
Considering the local climate, the months of May and September typically offer average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C. Summer in Kraljevo spans from June to September, with the hottest months being June, July, August, and September. Among these, August tends to be the warmest, while January is most commonly deemed the coldest month in Kraljevo.
Regarding precipitation, May is often the wettest month in Kraljevo, receiving an average of 93 millimeters of rainfall. In contrast, August is the driest month, with 53 millimeters of precipitation.[6]
Kraljevo, the capital city of Raski Okrug in the lower Ibar region, played a role in developing Serbia's culture, politics, and economy. It served as the center of the Grand Principality of Serbia from the late 11th century. Located in close proximity to Kraljevo is the Monastery of Žiča, built in 1219, which was the original seat of the Serbian Archbishop and the site for Serbian kings' coronations. After the First Serbian Uprising in 1805, the city saw considerable development. During World War II, Kraljevo was occupied by the German army, and in retaliation for an attack by Chetniks and Partisans, the Germans carried out the Kraljevo massacre, killing 2,000 residents. Finally, the city was liberated in November 1944.[1]
Another historical area of the Raska District is Stari Ras, located in the region of modern Novi Pazar. Stari Ras has a history dating back to Roman times, with its Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul standing as one of the oldest monuments in the area. Over the centuries, it was a contested borderland between the First Bulgarian Empire, the Serbian Principality, and the Byzantine Empire.
From the late 12th century onwards, the area became a province within the Serbian realm. It served as a crownland, appanage, and administrative division for various Serbian states. The Ottomans captured it in 1439 but lost it to the Serbian Despotate in 1444. Finally, in 1455, the Ottomans took control and established the settlement of Trgovište Eski Bazar. In 1461, Isa-Beg Ishaković founded Novi Pazar, making it a city and an urban center between Raška and Jošanica. Novi Pazar played a role in trade routes connecting major cities. It became part of the Kingdom of Serbia in 1912 and later part of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.[2]
People seeking historical landmarks can venture to the Maglic Fortress, located in the central part of Serbia. Maglic Fortress is a preserved example of medieval Serbian fortifications. Though the exact construction date is uncertain, it likely existed during Byzantine rule. Rebuilt in the 13th century by King Stefan the First-Crowned or Uros I, the fortress sits on a rocky perch, offering defense for nearby monasteries and control of the Ibar valley. With seven towers, a dungeon tower, and rectangular walls, the fortress includes remnants of a palace, church, and barracks. A winding path leads to the castle, and from there, visitors can observe panoramic views of the Ibar River valley and the surrounding landscape.[3]
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